WHITEFRIARS GLASS/WANNABEES

INTRODUCTION

2011-03-09T20:37:00.000-08:00

This is a blog in which I hope to show glass which is so often misattributed as Whitefriars when it is not. Time and time again you will find them on ebay, in auction houses, Antique shops and Collector’s Centres, independent dealers and at Fairs, all misattributed!

It drives me absolutely crazy to see new collectors of Whitefriars spend good money on glass which is as far removed from being Whitefriars as it is possible to get.

This is not to say that the items shown here are particularly inferior in any way. Some of the makers illustrated on this blog have a high profile and are hugely collectable in their own right.

But not every piece of glass that has a polished pontil, or bubbles, or has a texture or similar shape to some Whitefriars pieces can be attributed to Whitefriars.

I am an active member of the specialist web site www.whitefriars.com. I certainly do not know everything about all glass, so this blog, although my idea, has also some valuable contributions from my fellow members by way of photographs and information.

I would like to consider this as a “collective” blog and I thank all of those forum members and friends who have contributed to make it a hopefully useful resource.

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING PHOTOGRAPHS

Most photos here are by kind permission of the owners. Some have been used from the Whitefriars Mistaken Identities section, where people have freely posted them for identification purposes. If there are any objections to such photos having been used, then please email me, and they can be removed. This blog is intended as a friendly learning experience and not to gain in any way from publication of the photos.

Emmi Smith

RARE HAEMORRHOID VASES

2011-02-22T02:12:00.000-08:00

The above is one of the rarest Whitefriars vases, known as the Haemorrhoid vase and is Pattern number 9829 in the 1974 catalogue. On the left is one in Lilac and on the right, one in Sage. Also made in Kingfisher. Height is 13 inches. Photo © www.whitefriars.org

Below, a photo of vases, clearly inspired by the Geoffrey Baxter vases, which were, made by OTK

Japan. Height 10.25 inches. They quite regularly appear on ebay as Whitefriars. Caution! The two photos below of OTK (Japan) vases are ©mid20c

BEAKED VASES

2010-08-22T04:05:00.001-07:00

Top Photo: Beaked vase by Kastrup, Denmark, often mistaken for Whitefriars. Photo © Nic Wilson - http://www.zeitgeist-i.com/.
Bottom photo: A W h i t e f r i a r s b e a k e d v a s e P a t t e r n n u m b e r 9 5 5 6 i n A r c t i c B l u e

CHIMNEY VASES

2010-08-22T03:35:00.001-07:00

Chimney vases were made in similar shapes and colours by many glassworks. Below are two from different Swedish glassworks, and an illustration of the Whitefriars versions.

Ekanas

Bergdala © Robert Leach .........................................>

Whitefriars chimney vases pattern number 9655. The three sizes are 9.25"/ 7.75"/ 6.5" in the catalogues.

For such a small difference in height the Whitefriars vase is much more substantial in weight, being 843 gms compared to the Ekenas one at 283 gms.

Gullaskruf (Sweden) Chimney vase ©spoonman68(ebayID)

OTHER 'BARK' LOOKALIKES/WANNABEES

2010-08-22T02:44:00.001-07:00

Many other glass manufacturers made "bark -ish" lookalikes - again often misdescribed as Whitefriars. Below is some information where it is available, and photos of other vases as yet unidentified.

Above photo:George Davidson & Co was taken over by Abrahams & Co in 1966. In late 1968 it was named Brama Team Glassworks and the ‘Luna’ range was produced from 1971. Photo and words © Steve Rayner.

Above a Whitefriars textured bowl for comparison purposes. Whitefriars bowl Pat. 9687 c. 1972 Aubergine

These two above were new stock a few years ago in the British Heart Foundation Charity shops. Often to be found on e-bay described as Whitefriars. Also came in different sizes and a few other colours.

Red Ingridglas ...........................Green possibly Davidson bowl

The two photos immediately above are comparisons between a Davidson on th left and a Whitefriars on the right, profile and base shots.

BARK VASES - RAVENHEAD versus WHITEFRIARS

2010-08-22T01:51:00.001-07:00

This boxed Ravenhead "bark" vase must the most commonly misdescribed vase. (photo © David Fletcher) It is sold on ebay, by dealers and in auction houses wrongly attributed to Whitefriars. I imagine thousands were made as they just don't stop turning up, and they also come in a bright blue colour - possibly other colours too. They are commonly found in two sizes - 6.5 inches and 8.25 inches approximately.

Blue Ravenhead vase

Below is a photo of the three Whitefriars catalogues vases - sizes are 6 inches, 7.5 inches and 9 inches.

The following is a photo for comparison purposes . L - R: 7.5 inch Whitefriars, 6.5 inch Ravenhead and a 6 inch Whitefriars.

As you can see, the Whitefriars Bark vases by comparison are far more substantial.

More comparison photos..........

Rim finish is totally different. The Whitefriars on the right has a rounded and fire polished rim, whilst the Ravenhead has a flat ground rim with a band of crimped
detail at the top.

Above is a photo of the base treatment. On the left the Ravenhead vase is flat, on the right the Whitefriars vase has a ground out and polished pontil mark.

And finally a photo of the "bark" texture. On the Ravenhead one the moulding is vertical compared to the Whitefriars distinctive bark design.

BEWARE of falling into the trap of buying a Ravenhead vase which is described as Whitefriars. They are a very inferior glass quality by comparison and have little resale value.

Finally, a comparison photo of a Ravenhead tumber(on the left) and a Whitefriars tumbler on the right.

The Ravenhead tumbler is far lighter in weight, thinner and with a rounded rim. The Whitefriars has the distinctive bark moulding, has a thinner top rim which is ground and polished.

NOT EVEN LOOKALIKES!!!

2010-08-21T07:14:00.001-07:00

A selection of bud vases which are all too frequently advertised on ebay and elsewhere as having been made by Whitefriars. NONE OF THEM ARE WHITEFRIARS. Jack in the Pulpit vases, mostly BY ASEDA OF SWEDEN - some Czech and Swedish bubble based vases. I’ll say it again - none of them are Whitefriars, not even vaguely similar to anything in the Whitefriars catalogues. But because of the bubble treatment, sellers automatically think they are Whitefriars. THEY NEVER ARE!!

BLUE? BUBBLES?

2010-08-21T06:23:00.001-07:00

Blue? Bubbles? Not always Whitefriars. On the left we have a photo of a beautiful bubbled vase thought to be Swedish (but not confirmed) and on the right, two vases by William Wilson for Whitefriars in Sapphire Blue.

WAVE RIBBED VASES

2010-08-21T03:34:00.001-07:00

The Whitefriars Wave ribbed vases are often confused with similar from other makers, but the Wave ribbing is very different on the look-a-likes.

Two examples below which are NOT Whitefriars (possibly Webb) . You will note that the wave ribs are in a continuous flow around the body of the vase.

The examples below are of Whitefriars vases, where the wave ribs are "drawn up" rather like a curtain at each wave intersection.

Pattern number 8473 Amber (left) and Twilight (right)

Whitefriars rare Emerald Lampbase Pattern Number 8057.

This is a view from the inside of a Whitefriars Wave ribbed vase which shows the six sided "star" shaped ribbing in the base. This is unique to Whitefriars.

OPTIC RIBBED VASES

2010-08-21T03:09:00.001-07:00

There are many, many Optic ribbed vases from a variety of different manufacturers and are often misdescribed. They come in many shapes and forms, but to my eyes the Whitefriars is quite distinctive, having fewer and more spaced apart ribs and a "softer" appearance, than many of the look-a-likes.

Here are some look-a- likes, mostly Scandinavian in origin.

Above is another Scandinavian Optic ribed vase next to an original Whitefriars on the right Pattern Number 9094.

Above, another Whitefriars original Sea Green Pattern 9094 with label.

Optic ribbed with Bohemian label © Steve Rayner

SODA GLASS VASES

2010-08-21T02:46:00.001-07:00

There are a lot of Soda Glass look-a-likes from many different glass companies. Below left is a photo from a German glass company ( sorry can't read the name). Photo © Robert Leach.
The Photo on the right : Whitefriars Pattern number 9594. Photo ©
www.whitefriars.org . And here's a link to the full range of Soda Glasses made by Whitefriars and some of the history of them.......http://www.whitefriarsorg.org/a2-information/a2a-soda/vase_profiles.htm

OWL PAPERWEIGHTS

2010-08-21T02:35:00.001-07:00

Owl paperweights. The one on the left is a labelled Royal Krona. Without the label the Royal Krona is often described as Whitefriars, spot the subtle differences!! The photo on the right is from the Whitefriars catalogues.

BARK VASES

2010-07-12T04:50:00.001-07:00

These must be the most misdescribed vases of all. Almost anything with a "bark like" texture is described as Whitefriars

Above this text is a photo of the standard Whitefriars bark vases As these vases were mould blown, then the sizes rarely differ significantly.
Left to right: Pat. No: 9689 6 " tall, diameter 2.75" / Pat. No: 9690 7.5" tall, diameter 3.25" / Pat. No: 9691 9" tall 4" diameter.

Above is Pat. No: 9734, a bark vase with a fluted base. This measures 10.5 inches and was made just for a few months only in 1969.

Below are photos of some vases seen on ebay or elsewhere which are often described as Whitefriars. Unless tagged with the makers name, actual maker is unknown.

Ravenhead Vase © David Fletcher

Red vase by Ingridglas.

George Davidson & Co was taken over by Abrahams & Co in 1966. In late 1968 it was named Brama Team Glassworks and the ‘Luna’ range was produced from 1971. Photo and words © Steve Rayner.

Above a genuine Whitefriars bowl Pat. No: 9687 c. 1972

This is the view of the bases of two Ruby vases. On the right - not Whitefriars and on the left - Whitefriars, below the full profile

This was new stock sold by the British Heart Foundation charity shops a few years ago. They come in several sizes and colours. It's an ebay favourite for being described as Whitefriars.

Oberglas Austria

I have been told these are by Davidson, but I am not sure, only thing I am sure about is that they are not Whitefriars.

TRAILED GLASS

2010-05-12T07:06:00.001-07:00

The Whitefriars Trailed glass myth!!! Before that famous store Woolworths closed down, it was selling a variety of Art Glass. One of the items was a trailed vase, selling for about £7.99. Here it is!

Photos above © David Fletcher. These are seen many times on e-bay - label removed - and described as Whitefriars!!! I have also seen them with a white trail. BEWARE!

Some have sold for a considerable sum - odd really - as they do not resemble the real thing at all !

Photo below is a comparison - and below that, a Sapphire Blue Trailed Pat. No. 8914

Whitefriars Pattern 8914

Whitefriars Pattern 8886 Amethyst

and below a Whitefriars Ruby Footed Trailed vase.

OLD HALL NIGHT LIGHT HOLDERS

2010-05-12T06:57:00.001-07:00

These lovely retro and stylish night light holders marketed as OLD HALL, are often sold with a Whitefriars attribution. The following info is as a result of research by David Fletcher on the www.whitefriars.com Forum . If anyone has any further information please Email me!

"Old Hall was a trading name for the company J&J Wiggins. In 1969 they bought a company called Bridge Crystal Glass Company. That might account for where the glass came from!?!?!

These are on Ebay quite a lot as being Whitefriars. I have never been convinced and have found nothing related."

Above photo © Robert Leach.

THREADED VASES

2010-05-12T06:43:00.001-07:00

The Stevens and Williams vases are usually a coloured thread on a Flint body and more often than not with diamond moulding,.Threading colours seen are Black, Pink, Amber,Green and Orange.

Whitefriars colours are Ruby on Flint, Green on Flint, Amber on Golden Amber, Blue on Sea Green, Green on Sea green, Blue on Sky Blue, White on Flint and Blue on Golden Amber.

(information kindly provided by Stan J.)

SWANS

2010-05-11T04:31:00.001-07:00

Whitefriars made swans from 1938 - 1980 in sizes 5"/6"/8"/10". They were a classic shape and actually do look like a swan, although I have seen them described as sea-horses or dragons ! In 1978, this classic swan was changed by the addition of a foot, so can be clearly identified as the later swan. Below are some examples of both non Whitefriars and Whitefriars.

The above photo shows two swans which are NOT Whitefriars. The dark blue one at the back was made by Kingsware, a slightly distorted shape and the glass is characterised by streams of small bubbles throughout . They also normally have a rough "scar" on the base. The smaller one at the front may be by Murano, comes in several sizes and many colours and sizes.

Above two Whitefriars swans. The FLC Aqua one at the back sits on a "foot" and was made 1978 - 80 in this colour, plus Ruby, Sky Blue, Gold and Flint only.
The smaller one is a 6" Sapphire swan. The base of the Whitefriars swans is usually flat and polished.

ELEPHANT'S FOOT VASES

2010-05-11T03:52:00.001-07:00

T h e W h i t e f r i a r s E l e p h a n t ' s F o o t v a s e i s P a t t e r n N o . 9 7 2 8 a n d i s a f a i r l y substantial v a s e a t 7 " t a l l a n d w i t h a b a s e w i d t h o f 3 " .

Here's one in Kingfisher

And next, A Chinese made one, comes in many other colours and also different sizes, some very tall, others quite small

The following photo is a side by side comparison, followed by a photo of the differences in the bases of these vases

T h e b a s e s o f t h e W h i t e f r i a r s d o e s n o t h a v e a p o n t i l m a r k , b u t t h e l o b e s of

the base meet in the centre of the base rather like flower petals.

PAPERWEIGHTS

2010-05-11T03:28:00.001-07:00

Top photo shows a Whitefriars paperweight pattern number 9695. Photo © Wolfie Rayner. Below is a similar labelled weight by Beswick. Photo ©Tilly

RHIIHIMAKI AND OTHER SCANDI LOOKALIKES

2010-05-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

Three beautiful pieces of Rhiihimaki, Finland. But I've seen them mistaken for Whitefriars in spite of the fact they are iconic and desirable for collectors of this Finnish glass.

Left: Aurinko Sun vase by Helena Tynell. Centre: Grapponia vase by Nanny Still. Right: Kehra vase by Tamara Aladin.